Ice-cube tray for refrigerators



June 17, 1930. c. T. HATCH ICE CUBE TRAY FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed May 6, 1929 IN VEN TOR TORNE Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES T. HATCH, or Arman,

MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO UNION sTEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF ALBION, MICHIGAN ICE-CUBE TRAY FOR REFRIGERATORS Application filed May 6, 1929. Serial m. 360,640.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an ice cube tray for refrigerators from which the cubes may be easily removed or extracted and which may be conveniently'handl'ed, either when filled with water or with ice cubes. r

Second, to provide a tray of this character which may be readily adapted to different. makes of refrigerators or ice machines now on the market.

Objects pertaining to details and economles ofmy invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is definedin the claims.

A structure which embodies the features Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the holder with the container removed.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 represents the refrigerator and 2 the'refrigerating coil chamber. The coils are indicated at 3. The structure illustrated is designed to receive four ice cube trays designated generally by the numeral 4..

My improved ice cube tray comprises a holder and a container or receptacle removably arranged therein and formed of flexible resilient material, preferably rubber; The holder comprises a frame 5 formed of wire and having a cross piece 6 secured thereto in spaced relation to its front end piece 7. 4

The U-shaped longitudinal members 8 are secured by means of their upturned arms to the rear cross piece 9 of the frame and to the cross piece 6. The transverse members 10 are arranged upon the longitudinal pieces 20, being preferably welded thereto so that their upper edges are. in substantially the plane of the upper edges of the longitudinal member, see Fig. 3. Theupwardly projecting arms of these U-shaped transverse members are sea transverse section on line 33* cured by welding to the undersides' of the frame.

The container 11 is provided with an outi turned flange or rim 12 formed integrally with its walls and resting upon the frame, the container-being removably fitted within this frame so that the frame members engage the angles of the rim.

The container is provided with integral longitudinal partitions 13 and transverse partitions 14 arranged with the longitudinal partitions in alinement with the longitudinal tions are alined with the transverse members so that the container may be quite flexible and at the same time is supported effectively in the-holder.v

piece 15.

By thus providing a skeleton frame or holder forthe container, the containerjmay be easily stripped or removed therefrom; that is, there is comparatively limited contacting surface between the container and theholder so that the container is notlikely to become frozen to the holder. presents a relatively small area to the compartments or supports within the refrigeratorso it is not likely to becomefrozen thereto, it being supported by the longitudinal memers 8. I

Each holder is provided with a face plate 16 having a handpiece 17 struck outwardly therefrom. Theseface plates are secured to the-outer arm of the V -Shaped bracket 18, the ends of the arms of the bracket being rolled about the cross piece 6 and the front end piece of the frame.

I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters v Patent, is:

1. A holder for containers of flexible resillent material having longitudinal and The front flange of the containeris preferably extended into a finger I members'8. Certain of the transverse part-i- Further, the holder v The face plate is secured. to this bracket by means of the bolts 19.

transverse partitions providing a plurality of compartments, comprising a rectangular frame, a cross piece disposed in spaced rela-- arms of said members being welded to the rear end piece of the frame and their front arms tosaid cross piece, U-shaped transverse members arranged upon and welded to said longitudinal members so .that their upper surfaceslie in approximately the plane of said longitudinal members, the arms of said cross members being welded to the underside of the frame, certain of said transverse members being aligned with certain, of the transverse partitions of the container, a V-shaped supporting bracket havingthe ends of its arms folded about the frame, and a face plate secured to said bracket and provided with a hand piece.

' 2. In an ice cube tray for refrigerators, the combination of a container holder comprising a rectangular frame, a crosspiece disposed in spaced relation to the front end of said frame,

U-shaped longitudinal members, the rear arms of said members being welded to the rear end piece of the frame and their front arms to said cross piece, U-shaped transverse members arranged uponand welded to said longitudinal members so that their upper surfaces lie in approximately the plane of said longitudinal members, the arms ofsaid cross members being welded to the underside of the side members of the frame, a V-shaped supporting bracket having the ends of its arms folded about the front piece of the frame and said cross piece, and a face plate secured to said bracket and provided with a handpiece.

3. A holder for containers of flexible resilient material having longitudinal and transtudinal members aligned with the longitudinal members of saidcontainer, the rear arms I of said members being welded to the rear end piece of the frame and their front arms to said cross piece, U-shaped transverse members, the arms of said cross members being welded to the frame, certain of said transverse members being aligned with certain of the transverse partitions of the container, a V-shaped supporting bracket having the ends of its arms, folded about the frame, and a face plate secured to said bracket and provided with a hand piece.

4. In an ice cube tray for refrigerators, the combination of a container holder comprising a rectangular frame, a cross piece disposed in spaced relation to the front end of said frame, U-shaped longitudinal members, the rear arms of said members being welded to the rear end transverse partitions.

piece of the frame and their front arms to said cross piece, U-shaped transverse members, the arms of said cross members being welded to the side members of the frame, a V-shapedsupporting bracket having the ends of its arms folded about the front piece of the frame and said cross piece, and a face plate secured to said bracket and provided with a hand piece.

v 5. In an ice cube'tray for refrigerators, the combination of a container holder comprising a frame, U-shaped longitudinal and transverse members disposed in crossed relation with the upper ends of their arms secured to said top frame, and a removable container of flexible resilient material having an outturned flange overhanging the frame and integral longitudinal and transverse partitions.

6. In an ice cube tray for refrigerators, the combination of a container holder comprising a frame, longitudinal and transverse mem: bers disposed in crossed relation and secured to said frame, said members being welded at their crossing points so that their upper surfaces lie in substantially the same plane,

-and a removable container of flexible resilient material having integral longitudinal and 7. In an ice cube tray for refrigerators, the combination of a container holder comprising a frame and U-shaped longitudinal and transverse'members secured thereto, and a container offlexible resilient material having integral longitudinal and transverse partitions removably supported by said holder.

8. In an ice cube tray for refrigerators, the combination of a container holder comprising a frame and longitudinal and transverse members secured thereto, and a container of flexible resilient material having integral longitudinal and transverse partitions removably supported by said holder.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES T. HATCH. 

